Queensland Reds confirm Brad Thorn as new head coach
Brad Thorn has played 59 Tests for New Zealand
©PA
Queensland Reds have confirmed former New Zealand international Brad Thorn as their new head coach.
Thorn will take over from Nick Stiles, who was sacked from the role after he was reported to have an altercation with fellow coaches and key Queensland Rugby Union administrators.
Stiles was appointed as Reds' head coach in 2016 and in his maiden outing the Suncorp Stadium outfit registered just four wins and had to finish the season with an overall position of 14.
Meanwhile, Thorn has 16 years of experience in domestic rugby union as a player after switching codes and has also represented New Zealand 59 times.
Thorn was appointed as an assistant coach of Queensland Country for the 2016 National Rugby Championship and was made head coach of the team for the 2017 season.
"We feel strongly that Brad Thorn is the right person to lead this change and that his appointment as head coach is the necessary catalyst for that change," Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Richard Barker said in a statement.
"Brad has a proven track record of success as both a player and a coach.
"He is without peer when it comes to the culture and professionalism required to be successful at the highest level of our sport and he is enthusiastic about moving the Reds forward and creating a winning culture at Ballymore once again."
Ex-Melbourne Rebels head coach Tony McGahan has been appointed as the assistant coach for the upcoming season under Thorn.
